Can I Bring My Dog on The Rail Runner? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Dogs on trains · Commuter rail
Can I bring my dog on the Rail Runner?
Between Belen, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the Rail Runner draws an unusual line: ordinary pets stay home, but an emotional support animal in a small carrier can come.
Checked against New Mexico Rail Runner Express's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Pets aren't allowed on the Rail Runner. Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals can ride in a carrier on your lap or under a seat, and service animals ride free.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeService animals ride at no additional charge.
For every train in the country in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on RTD Denver Rail, dogs on UTA TRAX and FrontRunner, dogs on Valley Metro Rail.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on New Mexico Rail Runner Express?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against New Mexico Rail Runner Express's rule above.
New Mexico Rail Runner Express pet rules, line by line
- Rio Metro's train FAQ says pets are not allowed on Rail Runner trains.
- Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals are welcome if enclosed in a carrier you can hold on your lap or store under a seat.
- Large non-service animals that don't meet the carrier rule aren't permitted.
Popular dog breeds on New Mexico Rail Runner Express
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against New Mexico Rail Runner Express's rule, using typical adult weights and a 4 lb carrier. Your dog may be lighter or heavier, so check its real weight above.
| Breed | Typical adult weight | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle (Toy) | 4 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
Service dogs on New Mexico Rail Runner Express
- Service animals ride free and need no tag, ID, certification, papers, harness, vest or pass.
- Staff may ask if it's a service animal and what task it's trained to perform.
- Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal violates New Mexico law (NMSA 28-11-1).
- It stays on a leash, harness or tether unless your disability prevents it, on the floor under your seat or at your feet.
Emotional support dogs: This is unusual: the Rail Runner says no to pets but yes to emotional support animals, as long as they ride in a lap or under-seat carrier. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding New Mexico Rail Runner Express with kids and a dog
- If your dog is an emotional support animal, keep it in a carrier small enough for your lap or under the seat.
- Questions? Rio Metro's line is 505-706-0746.
A page from Rally's ride
The scariest page in Rally's book is the tunnel: dark, loud, nothing to see, until a bright light and the beach appear on the other side. New Mexico Rail Runner Express has its own dark stretches and loud moments, and a dog in a carrier feels them too. Talking through Rally's tunnel with kids first, and covering the carrier with a light towel, helps everyone. The tunnel page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Can I bring my dog on the Rail Runner?
Pets aren't allowed on the Rail Runner. Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals can ride in a carrier on your lap or under a seat, and service animals ride free.
Does my dog need a carrier on New Mexico Rail Runner Express?
Yes. On New Mexico Rail Runner Express a pet has to ride in an enclosed carrier small enough for your lap or under the seat. No weight number is published, so the carrier size decides it.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on New Mexico Rail Runner Express?
This is unusual: the Rail Runner says no to pets but yes to emotional support animals, as long as they ride in a lap or under-seat carrier.
Are service dogs allowed on New Mexico Rail Runner Express?
Service animals ride free and need no tag, ID, certification, papers, harness, vest or pass. Staff may ask if it's a service animal and what task it's trained to perform.
Can I bring a poodle on the Rail Runner?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on the Rail Runner?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on the Rail Runner?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Rio Metro: Pets and Service Animals(opens in a new tab)
- Rail Runner Train FAQs(opens in a new tab)
Rules can change without notice, and crews have the final say on board. Check the operator's page before you ride. Rally Takes the Train isn't affiliated with Rio Metro Regional Transit District.
- Checked at the sourceEvery rule on this page comes from the railroad's own website, not a pet blog.
- Re-checked oftenPet rules change. We note the date we last checked each one at the top of the page.
- A real corgiRally is the family's actual dog, which is why we care whether he'd fit under the seat.
Bring Rally on every ride
A five-minute, hand-painted picture book about a corgi's first train trip. $13.99 on Amazon.